Celebrating World Water Day 2024!

Did you know that Grey Lake at the Kinark Outdoor Centre (KOC) is home to three different species of turtles? The first two you may have seen before – painted turtles and snapping turtles. But there is also one you may not be familiar with: the Blanding’s turtle! The sweet smiling turtle with sun under its chin.

Unlike most Ontario turtles that have wide, flatter shells, the Blanding’s Turtle has a domed shell that resembles an army helmet and can reach 27 centimetres in length. Its head and limbs are dark, but its underside, both the bottom of its shell and its chin, are a rich yellow. Blanding’s turtles need to grow for about 20 years before they are able to reproduce and can live to be 80 years old!

Blanding’s turtles are one of several endangered native turtles. The alteration and destruction of wetlands has had a massive impact on Ontario’s remaining populations of turtles. Shoreline development continues to destroy nesting areas and disturbs the terrestrial habitat adjacent to bodies of water. Just like with snapping turtles, we need to be careful when driving through forested and wetland areas, as these two species in particular take so many years to mature. Sadly, many roads plow right through the middle of wetlands, causing harm to turtles, frogs, porcupines, snakes, beavers, and many other animals.

Protecting our bodies of water is important for so many amazing species, just like this one. Wetlands not only house some of the coolest creatures, they also clean our water and air! Just like trees, wetlands capture and store carbon. Wetlands also clean and filter our water, just like the Brita filter you may have in your fridge. Did you know you can determine the health of a body of water just by the bugs that live in it? You can find all sorts of unique bugs living in the mud under the water- they’re called aquatic invertebrates. All sorts of things rely on these bugs as a food source, such as dragonfly larvae, fish, frogs, even…that’s right – Blanding’s turtles!

If you have a home or cottage near a body of water, you’d be surprised how many animals rely on that area for food, reproduction, and housing. A great way to take care of the water is to know what kinds of chemicals are being used on your lawn or property, and what is going down your drains. Additionally, leaving the natural grasses and plants along the edge of your shoreline can really help with erosion and offers a healthier habitat and nesting area to small creatures.

March 22, 2024, is World Water Day, observed annually by the United Nations, and it is a day that focuses on the importance of freshwater. Canada plays a crucial role in this initiative as it supplies 7% of the world’s renewable water flow and contributes up to 20% of the world’s surface freshwater. World Water Day celebrates water protection and aims to raise awareness of those living without access to safe water. This day is all about advocating for the sustainable management of freshwater resources.